Niagara Falls – A Guide to the Wet Wonder
Niagara Falls might just be the main attraction in Northern America (though you haven't truly experienced the Falls until you've crossed over into Canada). The falls are made up of the impressive American Falls, but further south, the mighty Canadian Horseshoe Falls has become an iconic natural wonder of America. Surrounding the falls is an incredible lineup of attractions that essentially allow you to see and feel the falls from a wide variety of perspectives and experiences.
How many days are needed for a trip to Niagara Falls?
For a tour of the major attractions related to the falls (on both the Canadian and American sides), you should dedicate at least a full day for exploring. It's also worth spending an additional half day touring the cities of Niagara Falls (both on the Canadian and American sides), including, of course, enjoying the beautiful cities in the evening. Under no circumstances should you miss the evening fireworks displays.
On a trip to the falls, it's highly recommended to find a hotel in the city (preferably on the Canadian side) and experience the magic in the evening hours.
Click here to check availability and prices for Niagara Falls hotels in Canada…
10 Must-See and Do Things at Niagara Falls
- A panoramic view of the falls from the top of the Skylon Tower
- An eye-level view of the falls from the promenade near the Table Rock Welcome Center
- See the back of the falls on the Journey Behind the Falls
- View the edges of the falls (and battle the wind and get wet even with a raincoat) in the Cave of the Winds
- See the falls from the hanging balcony of the Prospect Tower
- Feel the falls from the ground below on the Maid of the Mist tour boat
- Fireworks shows at Niagara Falls (Click here for exact show times…)
- The tourist attractions of the Clifton Hill amusement park are led by the Niagara SkyWheel – the giant Ferris wheel.
- Spend time in the real Canada on charming Queen Street.
- Bridal Veil Falls viewed from Luna Island.
Click here for a day trip from Manhattan to Niagara Falls…
Click here for all the information on touring Toronto…
What are Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls are undoubtedly the most famous and most visited waterfalls in the world (whether they're the most beautiful is another question, but they are definitely strong contenders for the title). They are located a short drive from the American city of Buffalo and a little over an hour's drive from Toronto.
Click here for a guided tour of the falls at night…
- The falls are the result of the elevation difference between Lake Erie in the west and Lake Ontario in the east
- The height between the two lakes is approximately one hundred meters, with the height of the falls (Horseshoe Falls) being about 51 meters of free fall and a width of about 675 meters
- The water flow at the falls is 2500 cubic meters per second!!! It can reach up to 8000 cubic meters during the spring season
- The falls on the American side are smaller both in height and width
- They essentially drain the entire vast drainage basin of the Great Lakes (Huron, Michigan, Superior, and other smaller lakes)
- From Lake Ontario, the water continues along the Saint Lawrence River route to the Atlantic Ocean
There are two falls separated by the small Goat Island. The American Falls are to the north, located as implied by its name in the USA, and the Horseshoe Falls, or the Canadian Falls, are technically located in Canada. The Horseshoe Falls are what we know as Niagara Falls, shaped like a horseshoe due to the massive erosion of the rock.
- The height of the American Falls is only about 30 meters, due to a hard rocky section at the bottom that withstands the water flow
- The Horseshoe Falls has a height of 51 meters, and because of the soft rock, the water flow causes significant erosion both at the waterfall's edge and at the riverbed where the water roars
- Due to topographical conditions, it's highly recommended to cross the border to Canada and view the falls from the west
Map of Niagara Falls
How to get to Niagara Falls?
- The two main ways to get to Niagara Falls are either from Canada or from the USA
- The two large cities close to the airport are Buffalo in Upstate New York and Toronto in Ontario, Canada
- Access to the falls is easy and convenient from both Buffalo and Toronto
For a two-day trip to Niagara Falls (departing from New York City), click here…
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
The official Niagara Falls airport is located in the eastern part of Buffalo, just a half-hour drive from Niagara Falls by car. You can also reach the falls by train through downtown Buffalo. Buffalo airport is not large and mainly serves routes from the East Coast of the USA and the Midwest. The connection between Buffalo and American Niagara Falls is via the 190 highway.
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
The main and largest airport in Canada is located west of downtown Toronto, in the city of Mississauga. This airport is well connected with all major airports in the USA and Canada, as well as with all major airports in Europe (and indeed the whole world).
For a guided tour to Niagara Falls (departing from Toronto), click here…
The travel time from Toronto airport to the Canadian Niagara Falls is about an hour and ten minutes. The connection between Canadian Niagara Falls and Toronto city is via the Canadian Queen Elizabeth Highway.
For a helicopter ride over the falls, click here…
Border Crossings Between the USA and Canada
There are three ways to cross the border between the USA and Canada near the falls.
- The most popular crossing between the USA and Canada is at the Rainbow International Bridge, about two hundred meters north of the falls. This crossing is ideal for those arriving at Niagara Falls from the USA and wanting to see the falls from the Canadian side.
- The main border crossing between the USA and Canada, on the most convenient route between New York and Toronto, is at Niagara Falls with entries on both sides of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge located north of the falls. This road connects the American Interstate 190 with the Queen Elizabeth Way on the Canadian side.
- The Queen Elizabeth Way directly connects Hamilton to Buffalo. The road ends at the Peace Bridge, which crosses directly into downtown Buffalo. You can cross the bridge at the border and reach Canadian Niagara Falls from within Canada.
When to Visit Niagara Falls?
- You should always visit Niagara Falls whenever you get the chance. The falls are always open, always captivating, and each season brings a slight change to their appearance.
- The most popular time at the falls is obviously summer, when the weather is usually warm and you can combine the falls with hiking trails into Ontario towards Toronto
- Spring at the falls is also very attractive, maybe a bit chilly but the water flow is immense due to the runoff from snow melting throughout the Great Lakes basin
- Autumn near the falls is also attractive. The weather can be tricky as the months progress towards winter
- At the beginning of autumn, the falls blend well with the autumn foliage on the routes leading to the falls
- Winter at the falls can be surprising. If you happen upon a nice day (in this area if there is sun, it can be deceivingly sunny and really freezing), the falls are particularly spectacular, especially due to the ice formations on the sides
On a cold, stormy, snowy, or rainy winter day, there is no point in visiting the falls (this also applies to autumn and spring), so take that into account!
How to Plan a Trip to Niagara Falls?
Niagara Falls is one of the key attractions in all of the USA (technically in Canada) and is definitely worth a special trip. The falls are located near two major cities, Buffalo in the USA, which isn't a tourist hotspot, but also close to the city of Toronto in Ontario, Canada.
- If you're in Toronto, there's no reason not to head to Niagara Falls, it's just a little over an hour's drive from downtown.
- Although New York is about a six-hour drive from the falls, they are located along the shortest route between New York and Toronto, and can be included in various travel itineraries in upstate New York.
- The trip in Niagara Falls itself is split between the two cities at the falls, with the American city on the east side and the Canadian city on the west side.
- A large part of the attractions in both cities are located right next to the falls and are closely connected to them.
- The tourist center on the American side is on Goat Island or the northern part of the Niagara River, where the observation deck of the tower is located.
- The Canadian side is more attractive and connected with the American side by the Rainbow Bridge. Opposite the falls is a row of attractions lined side by side such as the Skylon Tower, the Table Rock observation promenade, Queen Victoria Park, and Clifton Hill amusement park.
- The main avenue on the Canadian side is Victoria Avenue, but it's definitely worth heading towards Queen Street in the city center in the evening.
Everything you need to know about lodging at Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a highly attractive tourist destination, and accordingly, the area surrounding them has become a bustling tourist zone. In both Niagara Falls cities, the American and Canadian, there is a vast array of lodging options.
- In Canadian Niagara Falls, many accommodations and hotels are located near the attractive Victoria Avenue
- The avenue is the tourist ground zero of the area, where most of the attractions related to the falls are found
- Near Clifton Hill amusement park and the casino, there are several larger and more luxurious hotels, including the Sheraton and the Crowne Plaza by IHG
- Along the avenue itself, there are a number of excellent hotels rated three stars
- The farther you move away from the avenue into the streets west of it, the lower the cost of accommodation becomes
- Along the river path itself on the Canadian side, there are more hotels with a rating of two and three stars
In the American city, most accommodations and hotels are situated right on the northern bank of the Niagara River near the falls. In this strip, there are both large resort hotels and quite a few motels, which are probably the most convenient and affordable places to stay in the area.
- When visiting the USA (and Canada, there really is no difference in this area), you can find very affordable accommodations at motels located just outside city centers, along the main routes leading into the cities.
- Near the cities, you'll find all the international motel chains like Holiday Inn Express, Best Western, Comfort Inn, Motel 6, and more.
- The travel time from the cluster of motels near the smaller (and less active) airport of the American town is only about fifteen minutes.
Click here to find a place to stay at Niagara Falls hotels…
Map – Where to stay in Niagara Falls?
Everything to See and Do at Niagara Falls on the Canadian Side
Canadian Horseshoe Falls
Horseshoe Falls is what we know as Niagara Falls. This iconic and famous waterfall (mentioned in any bathroom as the water tank system) is one of the most photographed places in all of North America and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Technically, the waterfall marks the border between the USA and Canada, stretching between Goat Island on the American side to the green section known as Falls View on the Canadian side. The waterfall is mainly famous for the giant mist cloud that billows from its lower part, a testament to the power of water pouring and swirling created by the horseshoe shape.
The way to see the waterfall (including the American falls by the way) is obviously from the Canadian side, from a variety of observation spots along Falls View. The fall is 51 meters high and nearly 700 meters wide in a horseshoe shape. The horseshoe is constantly being formed due to rock erosion, which is estimated at a meter and a half every year. This erosion will change the shape of the waterfall over the decades, and it will look completely different.
Horseshoe Falls is the star of this spectacular event known as Niagara Falls. Almost all the sites and attractions on the Canadian side (and a large part of those on the American side) are more or less related to views of the landscape towards it.
Table Rock Welcome Centre
The closest location to the Horseshoe Falls from ground level is on the Falls View promenade. This pleasant green walkway runs along the geological fault at the top of the falls. The ideal spot on the promenade is the Table Rock Visitor Center and the terrace at its front, where you can see the falls head-on.
The visitor center is the epitome of the commercialization of Niagara Falls, packed with memorabilia, restaurants, and everything a pampered visitor needs. You can see the falls from the front of the visitor center, which looks like a sort of low Gothic palace, and also from inside if the weather doesn't allow for being outside.
Journey Behind the Falls
The journey behind the falls is another of the observation attractions of the falls and one of the most successful ones. These are tunnels carved into the cliff on the western part of the waterfall, accessible by an elevator. It's possible to descend into the tunnels and peek from a height slightly above the ground at the fall of the Horseshoe Falls.
The attraction offers an almost immediate contact with the waterfall's water, and the view is very impressive. The two caves provide different vantage points of the falls, with one of them right under the water stream. Access to the tunnels is from Table Rock Welcome Center.
Skylon Tower
The Skylon, along with the falls themselves, has become a symbol of Niagara Falls. The needle-like tower is reminiscent of the CN Tower in nearby Toronto or the Space Needle in Seattle, built on a tall column with a round, rotating observation deck at the top. The tower stands 160 meters above the upper part of the falls, offering a simply breathtaking view of the geological wonder.
For a guided tour + tickets to Skylon Tower and a Maid of the Mist cruise, click here…
The tower was built in 1965 and has been considered one of the main attractions when visiting Niagara Falls ever since. At the top of the tower, there is a very expensive restaurant. On clear days, you can see the view of Lake Ontario and the towers of the city of Toronto on the northern shore of the lake.
For an online ticket to the Skylon observation deck above the falls, click here…
Queen Victoria Park
The charming park is perched above the giant and deep gorge where the Niagara River flows on its way to Lake Erie. In the park, you can still feel the falls mainly because of the noise of the rushing water, but it is a lovely attraction that stands on its own. The well-kept park was built in the English style at the end of the 19th century and is located at the foot of the Skylon Tower and near the Clifton Hill amusement park. The park features delightful ponds, charming paths, and a particularly pleasant green space.
Clifton Hill Amusement Park Niagara Falls
A wonderful amusement park that is an integral part of the Canadian Niagara Falls tourism experience. Clifton Hill is located at the northern end of Queen Victoria Park, not far from the roar of the falls. The park's most famous attraction is the Niagara SkyWheel, the iconic Ferris wheel that dominates the city's skyline along with the neighboring Skylon Tower.
The park is an introduction to a very popular recreational area that also includes the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum, the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark, Casino Niagara, Bird Kingdom, and more.
The park has various amusement facilities for children of all ages. Adjacent to the complex are many hotels, primarily flagship hotels of international chains like the Crowne Plaza by IHG and a Sheraton hotel.
Victoria Avenue
Beyond the rare attraction, Niagara Falls is also quite a sizable city with about ninety thousand residents, just on the Canadian side. The center of the city is Victoria Avenue, the avenue along which many attractions related to the waterfall viewpoints are lined. Victoria Avenue is a broad street, full of tourist businesses such as restaurants, bars, and numerous hotels.
Both the avenue and the streets behind it are home to most of the city's accommodations and entertainment venues, supporting the thousands of tourists who flock to the city daily. The avenue is designed with attractions related to the falls, like the Skylon Tower and the attractions near Clifton Hill Amusement Park on its east side, while its west side is packed with numerous businesses and chains.
Queen Street
While Victoria Avenue serves as the heart of the tourist hub near the falls, Queen Street is the charming and cozy street that forms the true downtown area.
Queen Street stretches north of the tourist district. It's filled with cute restaurants, cozy cafes, friendly bars, and more. For those visiting from the USA just for the falls, it's the spot to experience an almost authentic Canadian lifestyle, which is surprisingly quite different from the character of American cities.
Niagara Parks Power Station
The hydroelectric power station is located just above the beginning of the Horseshoe Falls. The station was built in 1905 and was active until 2005. In 2021, the large plant area opened as an educational and tourist attraction where you can see the technology of generating electricity from water. It's worth visiting the station also for the viewpoint on the nearby promenade.
Monastery of Mount Carmel
The Carmelite monastery building is situated a short distance from the Niagara Falls power station. The impressive building is one of the most beautiful in all of Niagara Falls and is a popular place for tourists. Surrounding the monastery are churches and a stunningly beautiful area of gardens and parks.
Everything to See and Do at Niagara Falls on the American Side
The American Falls
If it weren't for the insane Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, the American Niagara Falls would be quite an attraction by themselves. Visually, they are less impressive than the Horseshoe Falls, but they are still very beautiful and appealing. Due to the harder topographical structure of the rock on the north side of Goat Island, the erosion of the American Falls is lessened. The height of the falls is about thirty meters, and they cascade over a few jagged rocks, hence they are referred to as falls rather than a single fall.
Click here for a guided tour + tickets to all attractions on the American side…
Adjacent to Goat Island is the charming Bridal Veil Falls. The name 'Bridal Veil' is a generic name for a series of narrow waterfalls through which a lot of water flows, creating a continuous white appearance reminiscent of a veil. You can get right to the top of the falls as Luna Island has become accessible by footpath and bridge from Goat Island. Access to the island is through the Nikola Tesla Monument, an impressive bronze statue of the Croatian-American scientist.
Goat Island
From the Canadian side, Goat Island resembles a very impressive tabletop mountain, with its western part (facing Canada) being a fifty-meter-high cliff. The island serves as the border between the two parts of the falls, with the American Falls to its north and the Horseshoe Falls to the south. It is the largest among the islands of the falls, which cut into the American Falls, such as Robinson Island, Bird Island, and Luna Island, which is now accessible by bridge and offers a rare view of the American Falls.
On Goat Island, there are several attractions, primarily the descent to the tourist boat Maid of the Mist and access to Luna Island. There is also a large parking lot serving tourists coming to see the falls from the American side.
In the south of the island, there is also access to the Three Sisters Islands, which are part of the Niagara Falls State Park. Paths and bridges lead to the islets, allowing you to reach the riverbank at the upper part and see the initial rapids leading to Horseshoe Falls.
Cave of the Winds
Cave of the Winds is probably the most exciting attraction associated with Niagara Falls on the American side. The entrance to the Cave of the Winds is from Goat Island, where you enter an elevator descending into a series of walkways inside the river canyon. These walkways lead to the lower observation deck beneath Goat Island, fifty meters deep under the island itself.
Click here for a guided tour of Niagara Falls + tickets to Cave of the Winds…
From the balcony, you can clearly see the falls, but more importantly, you can feel the immense winds created by the waterfalls. The falling water creates a particularly wet wind storm, and those who go down to the cave also get a raincoat.
Tourist Boat Maid of the Mist
If the Fallsview promenade is the ideal way to see the upper part of the falls at eye level and the Skylon is the ideal view from above, the Maid of the Mist is the perfect way to see the waterfalls up close from below. It's a wide catamaran accessible from ground level on the American side.
Click here for a cruise on the Maid of the Mist + guided tour of the sites around the falls…
Access to the ship is via a short funicular train line with its upper station located near the observation tower. The ship experience is unique, featuring a breathtaking approach to the falls and, of course, quite a bit of getting wet along the way. The attraction is considered very popular. Cruises are not operational when weather conditions do not permit, so it's important to stay updated in advance.
Niagara Falls Observation Tower or Prospect Point Observation Tower
The American observation tower is located at the northern point of the falls, adjacent to the American Falls. The observation deck of the tower is indeed impressive, hanging fifty meters above the canyon where the Niagara River flows at the base of the falls. The tower was built in 1961 and stands 82 meters above the river. The tower is one of the main attractions on the American side and serves as a base for any visitor to the falls not planning to cross to the Canadian side (which is definitely recommended to do).
Niagara's Aquarium
Niagara's Aquarium is a delightful attraction that's perfect for children, especially if the weather isn't great. It's not very large, but it offers an accurate and thrilling zoological display of marine and amphibian life. In the aquarium, you can see giant turtles, seals, penguins, sea lions, and more. There are shows and feedings of different animals at scheduled times.
Address: Whirlpool St. 701, Niagara Falls
Click here for all the information on opening hours and admission costs to the aquarium…
